Some things you need to know: 

+ You'll need a partner - so you can start to think about who you want to work with. 

+ You will select 10 minutes from a movie -- and that 10 minutes will be a continuous segment (not 5 minutes from this part and 5 minutes from this other part).

+  If you have an action sequence or extended downtime in that 10 minutes, we'll talk about adding time.  

+  You can do any movie or tv show that we have access to show on the screen behind you.  We also prefer if it has captions in case we have Deaf audience members.  They can better evaluate your translation choices when they have access to the source language.  

Steps to take after you have selected your partner, your movie and your 10 minutes: 

+ Find a script or TYPE the script.   Many movies and TV shows now have scripts available online.  You have to be careful because sometimes the screenplay is different than what made it to the movie.  They might have adlibbed or edited the movie slightly differently.   It's still a good start,  but DOUBLE CHECK that the script matches the words on screen.   If you can't find a script, you NEED TO TYPE ONE.   You can NOT work on this product without a WRITTEN source text to refer to.   Typing the script can take some time.  Don't put off looking for or typing your script. 

+ Divide parts.   If there are two main characters that speak to each other that's a good starting point.  One of you take one of each.  Then if there are other characters coming into the scene you'll want to assign those based on who they're talking to.  We typically don't swap main characters -- BUT we could swap minor characters if they talked to main character A in one scene and then talked to main character B in the next scene.   You don't want long periods of time where you're talking to yourself and your partner is watching.   Sometimes dividing smaller characters can be tricky - ask for help if you're not sure.   You'll want to do this step as early in the process as possible so you can focus on translating your half of the script. 

+ Start the translation process.  Go through the script and start analyzing it for meaning -- look at the examples below to see great models of idiomatic work.  

Other Tips: 

+ Become the characters.  If you play mulitple character you want to be sure the audience knows the difference in your characters - match that speaker style.  Take on their body language and facial expressions, even modify your signs to match the character.   

+  When your character signs we need to see your face.  Especially in a theatrical setting you'll have harsh direct lighting which will mean if you turn your face, your facial expressions (and meaning and characterizations) will be lost in the shadow.   We have to create an illusion of talking to each other while looking out to the audience.   When your character signs, you look OUT to the audience, but your partner looks AT YOU.  When your partner starts to sign their next line they now look out and you turn to look at them.    There may be times in shorter exchanges (if you're just saying "YES") that you could still be looking at them when you reply.   Just be aware of your light.   Watch for that when you watch the models.   You can see times when they are successful and times when they are not.  

+ Turn-taking:  You can't sign the answer to a question until it has been asked.   The character on screen will say it, your partner may have a slight lag time.  Your character has already replied, but your partner isn't done signing the question.   You must WAIT.   Sometimes a short question in English will need more expansion in ASL and will take longer, but then the answer in ASL can be much shorter because the set up was there.  You have to work together to create this messsage.  

+ Co-creating the performance.  You are this movie.  To the Deaf consumer, you're the movie - we should be able to watch you and know what's happening.  When your partner is talking, you should be reacting to them in the same way your character is reacting to them.   There will be signs that you'll share that maybe your partner will set up, and then you'll have to use later.  

+ Interpreting sounds or on-screen actions:  If there is a sound that the characters react to, you'll need to include that in your interpretation.  For example if a gun goes off and your character says "what was that?" -- the sound of the gunshot should have been interpreted.  If the characters are doing some action on screen that the others are responding to, you can include those -- for example in Pitch Perfect when he bounces the microphone on her chest, or he lifts up his shirt and people react to that, we need to have seen that action so the reaction makes sense.  If there is extended action or something "cool" happening on screen/stage then we need to direct our audience's attention to that.  Examples might be extended dance sequences, or in the Beauty and the Beast when the Beast transforms..   don't try to recreate full dance numbers or cool effects.  We just look at the screen/stage behind us and it indicates to the audience that they should also look there.  

+ Sit or stand?  That's your choice.  Many shows these days are starting to stand more, but traditionally you'll see interpreters sit.  When you stand there are advantages, like you can turn, use more space, dance, you can actually switch places if you need to.  You'll see some sitting, some standing.